The project was hosted at the Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology. It was divided in three objectives/work packages. The first objective was to use a multi-omics approach to understand the response of the root to different microbes. Within this objective the main goal was to establish the protein proximity labelling technique in the lab and establish a sensitive proteomics analysis pipeline to detect differential accumulation of proteins in the nuclei in response to different biotic interactors. The researcher was successful in generating a transgenic line expressing the protein proximity ligase and in afterwards detecting differentially accumulating proteins in response to a plant stress hormone. The second objective was establishing the same method in a cell type specific manner. For this the researcher generated transgenic lines expressing the proximity ligase in specific cell layers using cell type specific promoters. After solving several technical difficulties, they were successful in detecting cell type specific proteins and the lines are being used to conduct experiments in response to biotic interactors. The third objective/ work package was to in detail characterize proteins detected in work packages 1 and 2 which is work being continued after the funding period of the project.
A manuscript describing the application of the method will include the generated datasets of work packages 1 and 2 and is in preparation. Future manuscripts are expected about results from work package 3. The researcher presented the results in oral presentations at two international conferences. Additionally, the researcher has participated in outreach activities including a picture competition in which a picture of the plant lines generated during this project was selected to be shown in public spaces accompanied by a recording in which the researcher explains the project to the general public.
